Charter Schools

Definition

Charter schools are publicly funded, independently operated schools that are free from many of the regulations and policies that govern traditional public schools. They are designed to provide innovative educational approaches and increased flexibility in curriculum, teaching methods, and school management.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently from the traditional public school system, often with less regulation and more flexibility.
2. The goal of charter schools is to provide innovative and alternative educational approaches that can serve as models for improving public education.
3. Charter schools are typically established through a contract or 'charter' with a state or local education agency, which outlines the school's mission, educational program, and performance goals.
4. Charter schools are held accountable for student performance and must meet the terms of their charter in order to remain open and receive continued funding.
5. The growth of charter schools has been a controversial issue, with debates surrounding their impact on educational equity, school funding, and the role of the public education system.

Review Questions

• Explain how charter schools are different from traditional public schools in terms of their governance and operations.
  • Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently from the traditional public school system, often with less regulation and more flexibility in areas such as curriculum, teaching methods, and school management. They are established through a contract or 'charter' with a state or local education agency, which outlines the school's mission, educational program, and performance goals. This independence allows charter schools to implement innovative approaches, but they are also held accountable for student performance and must meet the terms of their charter in order to remain open and receive continued funding.
• Describe the role of school choice in the growth and development of charter schools.
  • The concept of school choice, which allows parents to choose the public or private school their child will attend rather than being assigned to a school based on their residential location, has been a driving force behind the growth of charter schools. Charter schools are seen as an alternative to traditional public schools, providing parents with more options and the ability to choose an educational approach that best fits their child's needs. The increased availability of charter schools has expanded school choice, but this has also raised concerns about the impact on educational equity and the role of the public education system.
• Analyze the potential benefits and drawbacks of the privatization of public education through the establishment of charter schools.
  • The rise of charter schools has been viewed by some as a form of privatization of public education, as they are publicly funded but operate independently from the traditional public school system. Proponents argue that this privatization can lead to increased innovation, flexibility, and accountability in education, as well as greater school choice for parents. However, critics argue that the privatization of public education through charter schools can exacerbate educational inequities, divert funding from traditional public schools, and undermine the role of the public education system in promoting social and economic mobility. The debate surrounding the potential benefits and drawbacks of charter schools and the privatization of public education is an ongoing and complex issue in the field of education policy.

Related terms

School Choice: The ability of parents to choose the public or private school their child will attend, rather than being assigned to a school based on their residential location.

Privatization:

The transfer of ownership or control of a public service or entity from the public sector to the private sector.

Accountability: The responsibility of schools and educators to demonstrate student achievement and compliance with educational standards and policies.